Although the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is celebrated worldwide, many Mormon musicians remain less well known outside their local circles. Utah composers compose intricate piano sonatas and symphonies but rarely reach audiences outside the Latter-day Saint community. Ben Howington and The Piano Guys have earned millions of views online through stunning cinematic videos that blend classical pieces with current hit music. Hymns Mormon music includes hymns as a vital component. Latter-day Saints use them to prepare for church services, strengthen their faith in Jesus Christ, and teach family members gospel principles. Hymns can provide comforting musical pieces which help participants enter church meetings with peace in mind. Elder Morrison states that…

Joseph Smith established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints after receiving revelations from God and translating golden plates, creating an unconventional social order. Polygamy led to bitter legal battles and forced exile into Utah wilderness before it was eventually outlawed. Mormon teachings encourage their members to pursue knowledge and wisdom by studying scriptures and adhering to health and lifestyle rules known as the Word of Wisdom. The LDS temple Mormons gather at temples to worship Jesus and receive spiritual instruction, as well as to seal their families for all time. The Mormon church boasts an expansive network of temples across the globe, including in Utah, Idaho, Arizona,…

Mormon artists are professional sculptors, painters and other artistic practitioners who practice their faith while creating pieces of artwork that enrich cultural diversity and foster deeper knowledge of scripture. Artists are increasingly depicting Heavenly Mother through non-representational art using shapes and symbols to explore her spiritual presence, breaking from tradition by going beyond depicting her as human figure and challenging racial and gender stereotypes. Symbolism Early on in its existence, Christianity was very wary about art depicting deity. Church members for nearly 100 years chastised any attempts at depicting God or Jesus artistically; any that did appear tended towards portrayals that depicted generic European male figures with an illustrative style.…

Mary Cassatt established close ties to European Impressionist artists like Degas. Mary’s pastel “Simone in a Plumed Hat” recalls Degas’ 1894 seated dancer painting seen above. European nations administer public arts funding on a local basis, similar to what the National Endowment for the Arts does here in America. Such cultural institutions educate their communities while serving as an antidote for mainstream music. Cultural Bias Cultural bias occurs when individuals from different cultures interpret words and actions differently. It can lead to miscommunications and misrepresentations – for instance when European artists depict Native American life in their paintings – as well as discrimination or prejudice. Some forms of cultural bias…

Students gain insight into how European musical traditions impacted early American music. They examine how immigrants adapted musical styles to their new culture, creating music with depth and drama while still remaining accessible enough for amateur musical ensembles to perform effectively. Piano music, songs and small-scale choral pieces by European composers who enjoyed modest American success are well represented here. Additionally, an excellent selection of major operatic arias and ensembles in accurate voice-and-piano editions. Classical Before the early 1900s, classical music in America was predominantly created by European immigrants who had settled here permanently. Composers such as Benjamin West and Samuel Morse attempted to capture traditional European art forms in…